the info you just have to know...

Hello to blog readers young and old.!
…Hopefully you are many in number. We like to think that there are people are actually reading these…
Our adventures in Uganda are finally becoming routine. I think it’s safe to say that we all three feel a sense of familiarity. We know our surroundings. We know the people. Though on our guard, we trust both. Nowadays the three of us venture around unattended in Jinja, the second largest city in Uganda. Besides being white, I think we do a good job of laying pretty low under the radar. The only time we are ever approached is when we pass by the boda-boda drivers (motorcycle drivers…it‘s like a taxi service) who are beckoning us to let them take us wherever we need to go. The market in Jinja is the thickest taste of authentic “African” culture one can experience. I think you would be impressed with our street credibility. Ha. But really, we’re learning the in’s and out’s of the economics here. It’s a good thing we have the BMW students to tell us how much we should pay for certain things. That helps.
Speaking of BMW students, I feel like there are some gaps that we need to fill in for you guys.
Right now, Tj, Mckenzie and I are living at a Teen Mission Base in Nakabongo. Teen Missions is a world-wide missionary organization that trains teenagers to become missionaries. Go figure…J There are different “bases” all over the world, and several of them are spread about the continent of Africa.
Basically the base is like a private compound….it’s secured and enclosed by a big rock wall. The property stretches back into the bush where there is a rescue unit, but it’s far away and we haven’t yet had the chance to explore that far back, so I’m not sure what the rescue unit looks like. I think there’s a church and a school because often times I hear loud drums and people singing. We are itching to visit it, but there are many things here to occupy our time.
Camille Hadlock (whom we have mentioned a few times before) is the director of Teen Missions here in Uganda. She is our main connection and Mckenzie knew her from her previous Teen Mission trip.
Camille is wonderful. Loves the Lord with all her heart. She’s a hard worker with a lot on her plate, but she has a big house here and has allowed us to stay in one of the rooms. She’s an American too, which is important to know, and after living here for so many years she is able to tell us how to adapt into the African lifestyle. She has been such a blessing but is definitely not holding our hand and walking us through each day. Sometimes we don’t even see her because she is constantly running errands and is so so busy.
Besides Camille’s house, the Base is also home to a Bible school. The students here are called BMW students. Bible Missionary Work students. Most of them are college-aged, so we really enjoy their company. They pay their own tuition, live in a small dorm (one for men/one for women), and help with the chores to help keep things at the Base running smoothly. Besides finishing school, the students are required to complete an internship of their choice, which can be any kind of service that they feel the Lord has put on their hearts. That generally lasts for about a year. Chores include an array of jobs such as tending the flocks, kitchen duty, keep the garden(s), washing clothes. SO many things and since many of the students are gone for the holidays, these are the kind of activities Tj, Mckenzie, and I have participated in during these last couple of weeks.
Sorry that was kinda long and boring but I just wanted to try and paint a picture of where we are and who we are staying with because I felt like that might have been cloudy for some.
NOW. What I really want to get at is this:
This past week has been a little rough. Not rough as in too much to handle or we’re desperately homesick and want to fly home. It’s just that reality is setting in that this is our life now. It’s amazing and we realize how fortunate we are to be here and we truly are happy. But the 10 day mission trip is long over and the fact is, we aren’t coming home for a very long time. We’re trying not to focus on petty things like food and comfort, but we’re girls. American girls. It’s easier to want clean clothes that smell fresh, than it is to want to help herd goats and pick up rocks. : ) yes, today Tj and I had to help herd about thirty goats while simultaneously digging up bricks and stones which were supposed to help make the foundation for a new kitchen. Don’t get us started as to why it makes any sort of sense to move one pile of rocks from one unfinished work project site to another….we asked….it’s just they way they want to do it. So, we laugh and spend half our day transferring rock piles. We’ve been working hard. Actually, we call it man work. You’d be surprised at how intense some of our jobs have been. We’re definitely not used to it. But that’s what it’s all about. It feels good to work hard.
So in light of that, I want to thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. A few days ago I was sharing with some of our new friends about our friends and family back in the States supporting us. As they were looking through some pictures from our prayer meeting/sendoff at the coffee shop, they were amazed at how many people were backing us up. One person even said to me, “I am so encouraged that all these people are praying for us.” It really made me realize how blessed we are to have such a power house prayer team back home.
Prayer is so powerful. Every morning before breakfast everyone gathers together for about thirty minutes of worship and Isaac gives a brief word to encourage us. Recently he preached from John ch. 16 vs. 23 & 24.
“ ‘(23)In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. (24) Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.’ ”
He reminded us that we have access through Christ Jesus to come before the Father and ask of Him anything. The word says “Until now you have asked nothing in my name.” Until now. Basically Christ is saying, your needs are easy to our Father. It does not strain Him to answer you. It’s nothing for the Creator of the universe to bestow favor and blessing on His children if we will just ask. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Have we prayed enough? Do we seek the Father enough? Are we burdened for each other enough? Every time we come before Him, it’s like we’re presenting new requests. God wants us to come before Him now. Yesterday is past. Tomorrow isn’t promised. Until now.
His word is living and present. It’s a “now” Word. The Bible is living and active. Hebrews 4:12. AMEN!
So, thank you for interceding on our behalf. Be encouraged! God is faithful and continues to provide for us so many things. We want to continue to pray for safety, good health, and for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding so that we can better serve as Christ served. Even though things may get harder, we want to remain confident that He will supply us our strength as we take each day one day at a time.
Everyday we are praying for our friends and family back home! You are so dear to us, and we love you so much. May you continue to be at peace in the Lord Jesus.
Love,
Marlee